Dental impression material injecting syringe

ABSTRACT

A dental syringe for elastic impression material is provided which comprises a nozzle section and plunger section. The plunger section includes a mixing chamber adapted to receive the nozzle section. When the two sections are coupled, the impression material may be extruded through the nozzle.

ilriited States Patent Lopez et al.

[ June 12, 1973 DENTAL IMPRESSION MATERIAL INJECTING SYRINGE Inventors:Oscar Lopez, Cliffside Park; Juan C.

Valdes, Union City, both of NJ.

Assignee: Oscar L0pez, Cliffside Park, NJ.

Filed: June 23, 1972 Appl. No.: 265,431

U.S. Cl. 32/17, 32/60 Int. Cl A6lc 5/04 Field of Search 222/326, 386,387,

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Douglass et al 222/391 2,903,7949/1959 Carfagni 32/60 Primary Examiner-Robert Peshock Attorney-Joseph M.Fitzpatrick, John Thomas Cella, Charles B. Cannon [57] ABSTRACT A dentalsyringe for elastic impression material is provided which comprises anozzle section and plunger section. The plunger section includes amixing chamber adapted to receive the nozzle section. When the twosections are coupled, the impression material may be extruded throughthe nozzle.

6 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures DENTAL IMPRESSION MATERIAL INJECTING SYRINGEBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a dentaltool and more particularly to dental syringe for extruding elasticdental impression material. The syringe includes a mixing chamberwherein the constituents of the elastic impression material may be mixedand then extruded in a facile manner.

Heretofore, in making elastic impressions of teeth preparations, it wasnecessary for dentists to use two devices; an injecting syringe, and apaper or glass slab for mixing the impression material. Dentalimpression material is generally two components and comprises a basematerial and a hardening agent. The two components must be mixedimmediately prior to use; and thereafter inserted into a syringe-typeapparatus for the dentists use. This procedure is generally carried outby repeatedly pressing the open end of the syringe against the mixedmaterial to fill the syringe. It is obvious that this is a tediousprocedure and is extremely time consuming. Moreover, in loading thesyringe, the dentist has to be careful to avoid trapping air. Inaddition, since the elastic impression material sets rather quickly, theloading operation must be completed in a short period of time and,therefore the dentist is often rushed, which leads to improperly.prepared impressions. Heretofore, in order to negate the above-notedobjectional features, it was often necessary for the dentist to make useof an assistant to help manipulate the syringe and mixing pad.

Accordingly, it is the primary object of the present invention toprovide a combination syringe and mixing chamber whereby the componentsof the dental impression material may be mixed directly in the syringeand thereafter extruded in one simple procedure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the invention, a syringe isprovided having two separable sections. One section comprises a barreland nozzle and the second section comprises a mixing chamber and adisplaceable plunger attached thereto. The barrel section includes anannular flange adapted to be closely fitted within the mixing chamber,whereby upon insertion of the barrel into the mixing chamber, theimpression material is displaced into 'the syringe barrel. The separateparts of the syringe are arranged in such manner that when the barrelsection is inserted within the mixing chamber, the barrel aligns withthe plunger so that the latter may be readily depressed into the barrelto extrude the impression material through the nozzle.

There has thus been outlined rather broadly the more important featuresof the invention in order that the detailed description thereof thatfollows may be better understood, and in order that the presentcontribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course,additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafterand which will form the subject of the claims appended thereto. Thoseskilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which thisdisclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for thedesigning of other structures for carrying out the several purposes ofthe invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regardedas including such equivalent constructions as do not depart from thespirit and scope of the invention.

A specific embodiment of the invention has been chosen for purposes ofillustration and description, and is shown in the accompanying drawings,forming a part of the specification, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the device of the present invention in adisassembled form;

FIG. 2 is a, longitudinal cross-section of the device of the presentinvention in an assembled form;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 33 of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the device of thepresent invention in disassembled form.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION With reference to FIG. 1, the device of thepresent invention generally comprises a tubular barrel 10, an enlargedtubular mixing chamber 12, and a plunger 14. The tubular barrel 10,converges at one end into a nozzle 16 which is preferably angularlydisposed thereto. Additionally, the barrel 10 includes, at its oppositeend, an annular flange or disc 18 which is adapted to snugly fit withinthe mixing chamber 12. The plunger 14 includes, at its distal end, abutton 20 for depressing the plunger within the syringe. The barrel 10may also include projecting flanges 22 which are used as finger gripsand which are positioned so that they abut the rim 24 of mixing chamber12 when the barrel assembly is inserted within the mixing chamber. It isto be noted that the tool is constructed of such size and configurationso that it is readily inserted into the mouth of a patient in suchmanner that the nozzle 16 may be placed in close proximity to thepreparation to be impressed. In addition, the syringe of the presentinvention may be constructed of any non-toxic material and is preferablyconstructed of plastic.

In FIG. 2, the syringe of the invention is shown in an assembled state.As shown in the figure, the annular flange 18 of the barrel l0 closelyfits within the mixing chamber 12 to engage the base of the chamber. Inaddition, the flange 18 is preferably includes a disked out recess 26adapted to assist the flow of the impression material into the barrel 10when same is inserted within the chamber 12. The base of chamber 12includes a depression 28 adapted to house the plunger head 30 when theplunger is fully extended thereby providing an essentially flat surfacefor mixing the constituents of the impression material. Moreover, thedepression 28 forms a stop means to prevent the plunger from disengagingthe mixing chamber section. As shown in the figure, the barrel assemblyand plunger assembly are constructed in such manner that when the barrelassembly is inserted within the mixing chamber 12, the interior diameterof the barrel will correspond to the plunger head 30 so that the lattermay be readily inserted within the barrel 10. The mixing chamber 12further includes a tubular extension 30 partially housing said plunger14 and providing suitable retaining and alignment of said plunger.

With reference to FIG. 3, the finger grips 22 are adapted to abutagainst the rim 24 of the mixing chamber 12 when the annular flange 18is fully inserted within the mixing chamber 12. In addition, thedimensions of the flange 18 are such that it is snugly accommodated withthe chamber 12 so that the dental impression material is completelyforced within the barrel without leakage around the edges of the ring 18and the chamber 12.

In operation, the plunger and mixing chamber section of the apparatus isheld in a vertical direction so,

that the plunger head 30 rests within the depression 28 to form a solidmixing base within the chamber 12. The two components of. the impressionmaterial are added to the mixing chamber 12 and are mixed to the properconsistency such as with a spatula. The barrel section 10 is theninserted into the mixing chamber 12 so that the conical section 26 ofthe annular ring 18 abuts against the floor of mixing chamber 12. Insuch manner, the mixed impression material abuts the base of the mixingchamber 12, the barrel 10 will be filled with the elastic impressionmaterial. Thereafter, using the tool in a syringe-like manner, theplunger 14 is depressed by exerting pressure on button 20. This actionwill cause the plunger head 30 to move forward compressing the materialinto the barrel 10 and nozzle 16 and thereafter extruding the impressionmaterial through the nozzle 16. In such manrier, the elastic impressionmaterial may be delivered to the preparation.

In an alternative embodiment, it is possible to provide a preloadedmixing chamber which contains the two components of the impressionmaterial separated by a partition and pressure cap. In this embodiment,the partition would be removed and the materials mixed, and thereafterthe barrel is inserted through the pressure cap.

What is claimed is:

1. A dental impression material injecting syringe which comprises atubular barrel, said barrel including a nozzle at one end and anenlarged annular flange at the other end, said barrel further includingfinger grasps intermediate said flange and nozzle;

a tubular mixing chamber dimensioned to closely receive said annularflangefand a plunger mounted through the base of said chamber andpositioned in alignment with said barrel when said flange is positionedin said mixing chamber, said plunger having a head dimensioned toclosely fit within said barrel.

2. A tool according to claim 1 wherein said annular flange includes adisked out recess.

3. A tool according to claim 1 wherein said finger grasps are positionedto abut the rim of said mixing chamber when said annular flange iscompletely inserted within said mixing chamber.

4. A tool according to claim 1 which is constructed of plastic.

5. A tool according to claim 1 wherein said nozzle is disposed angularlyto said barrel.

6. A tool according to claim 1 wherein the base of said mixing chamberincludes a depression dimensioned to accomodate said plunger headwhereby the base of said chamber is essentially flat when said plungeris completely extended.

1. A dental impression material injecting syringe which comprises atubular barrel, said barrel including a nozzle at one end and anenlarged annular flange at the other end, said barrel further includingfinger grasps intermediate said flange and nozzle; a tubular mixingchamber dimensioned to closely receive said annular flange; and aplunger mounted through the base of said chamber and positioned inalignment with said barrel when said flange is positioned in said mixingchamber, said plunger having a head dimensioned to closely fit withinsaid barrel.
 2. A tool according to claim 1 wherein said annular flangeincludes a disked out recess.
 3. A tool according to claim 1 whereinsaid finger grasps are positioned to abut the rim of said mixing chamberwhen said annular flange is completely inserted within said mixingchamber.
 4. A tool according to claim 1 which is constructed of plastic.5. A tool according to claim 1 wherein said nozzle is disposed angularlyto said barrel.
 6. A tool according to claim 1 wherein the base of saidmixing chamber includes a depression dimensioned to accomodate saidplunger head whereby the base of said chamber is essentially flat whensaid plunger is completely extended.